Carols around the Christmas Tree

Kings Hill came together on the 10th December, to start Christmas celebrations, at a new community event, Carols Around the Christmas Tree and light switch on. Led by St Gabriel’s img_3033and the Kings Hill Christian Fellowship, it saw around 400 people hear the Christmas Story and sing Carols. The event was generously  sponsored by Liberty Property Trust, who provided the tree, lights and decorations.

The tree was adorned by stars decorated by children from Kings Hill Pre-School and the reception classes, from the three School’s on King Hill (Kings Hill School, The Discovery School and Valley Invicta Primary School at Kings Hill).

The event led by Rev. Mark Montgomery (Leader of St Gabriel’s) and Rev Matt Ross (Pastor of the Christianimg_3028
Fellowship) started with a bible readings readings by the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Councillor Mark Rhodes, and Tom Tugendhat MP, before they were joined by Ven. Clive Mansell, Archdeacon of Tonbridge, where together they switched on the Christmas Tree Lights.

Carol’s sung by all, were interspersed by school Choirs from the three schools, singing parts of the Nativity story. The event closed with a prayer from Ven. Clive Mansell, and the all the schools together singing Silent Night.

As well as a community activity to celebrate Christmas, the event had a serious side, with donations of toys and sheets being collected for the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal and the Pilsdon Community in West Malling.

Everyone was then invited back to the Spitfire pub for free Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.

People who attended commented on how lovely the event was, how well it bought the community together and what great work the schools and all involved had put into it to make it such a special event.

img_3029Rev. Mark Montgomery, said “it was so great to see so many people come out and support this new event in despite the rain. I came up with this idea a few months ago, and I am really pleased and surprised at how well it was supported. The school choirs were amazing and sang well, and all who volunteered to make the event happen (Kings Hill Rotary, members of the churches, the Parish Council and other community spirited people) , did amazing jobs.”